Water softening apparatus



April 17, 1934. I TURNER 1,955,694

. WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 25, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheetl ORA IN Fig-1.-

' DRAIN SERVICE SOFTE/Vf/Q /v l/E/V 70/? E. 77 TURNER.

M070 ATTO'RA/EX April 17, 1934. E. T. TURNER 1,955,694

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS I Original Filed Feb. 25, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet2 /Z/ SERVICE SOFTf/VEE l/f/VTOR E. 7. TURNER.

ATTOPA/EY Apfil 17, 1934.

E. T. TURNER WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 25. 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 5 l\/ v/v TOR. E. T TURNER.

' ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATERSOFTENING APPARATUS Edward T. Turner, Dayton, Ohio, assig'nor to GeneralWater. Treatment Corporation, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application February 25,1925, Serial No.

11,435. Divided and this application August 14, 1925, Serial No. 50,171.Renewed June 28,

21 Claims. 210-24) In the normal operation of a water softener of thischaracter the water softening material gradually loses its softeningproperty as it gives up its normal base and absorbs the calcium,magnesium or the like, from the water. Consequently at intervals,dependent upon the quantity of water softened, it is necessary torecondition the water softening material by first subjecting it to theaction of a regenerating solution, such as salt water, which willdisplace the substances absorbed'from the hard water and retsore thenormal base of the material, and to then rinse or wash out the watersoftening material and its container to remove the regenerating solutionand sediment therefrom. The reconditioning is usually manuallycontrolled and it is necessary for the person in charge of the apparatusto in terrupt the fiow of hard water to the container and introducetherein the necessary salt water and, after this salt solution hasremained in contact with the water softening material for a,sufiicientlength of I time, to wash out the container and reconnect the same withthe city water and the service line. ,These operations are all per--formed by hand and as each operation is effective for a considerablelength of time the manual control of the mechanism results inconsiderable inconvenience and because of this inconvenience thereconditioning is likely to be neglected.

The present application is a division of the application filed by meFebruary 25, 1925, Serial No. 11,435, in which there was shown anddescribed a water softening apparatus which is automatically controlledto effect the reconditioning of the water softening material at periodsv determined by the quantity of watar delivered to the container.

One object of the invention is to provide such an automatic watersoftening device in which the flow of water through the container willbe reversed during the reconditioning operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus whichwill be simple in its construction and positive in its operation.

, .Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is describedin detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a watersoftening apparatus emof the controlling mechanism; Fig. 4 is a similarbodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a slightly modifiedform of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a furthermodification view showing still another arrangement of the controllingmechanism; Fig. 5 is a detail view of an automatic valve operatingdevice; Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the valveactuating'device shown in Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a side elevation, partly insection, of another valve ac- 'tuating device; Fig. 8 is a sectionaldetail view of the cam shaft forming part of the valve controllingmechanism; Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6; and Fig.10 is a sectional detail of the injector.

,In these drawings I have illustrated one em bodiment of my invention,together with several modified arrangements of the controlling devices,

' but it will be understood that these forms have been chosen for thepurpose of illustration only, that the apparatus may take various formsand the control thereof may be effected in various. ways withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. As shown in Fig. 1, theapparatus comprises water softening unit consisting of a container 83which is adapted to contain a suitable quantity of water softeningmaterial, such as zeolite, glauconite or the like. 'The water to besoftened is supplied to this container through a supply pipe ,80 whichleads from a suitable source of water supply, such as city water mains,and is provided with means whereby it may be connected with either endof the container. As here shown, the pipe has two branches 81 and 82communicating respectively with the lower andupper ends of thecontainer. A service pipe 84-. leads from one end of the container, inthe present instance the lower end, to a distributing system or otherpoint of discharge. A source of supply for regenerating solution, suchas a brine tank 85, is connected with the container by means of a pipe86..

which, in the present instance, leads to the upper end of the containerand is here shown as connected with the upper branch 82 of the supplypipe so that the brine is introduced into the container along with waterpassing thereto from the supply line,'an injector 86a being provided tofacilitate the introduction of the regenerating solution, as shown anddescribed in the above mentioned application. The flow of solutionthrough the pipe 86 is controlled by a valve 87. The two branches 81 and82 of ,the supply pipe are controlled respectively by valves 88 and 89.A drain pipe is connected with the container at erating solution isintroduced. In the present instance, I have provided drain pipes at bothends of the container for reasons which will hereinafter appear.Preferably these drain pipes are connected through the respectivebranches of the supply pipe. One of these drain pipes is shown at 90 asconnected with the branch 82 of the supply pipe between the valve 89 andthe container, and is controlled by a valve 91. The second drain pipe 92is connected with the branch 81 of the supply pipe at a point betweenthe va1ve88' and the container and is controlled by a valve 93. Duringthe water softening operation the valve 88 of the lower branch of thesupply pipe, the valves 91 and 93 of the drain pipes and the valve 87 ofthe regenerating solution pipe are closed, the valve 89 in the branch 82of the supply pipe only being open. Thus the water is caused to enterthe container near the upper end thereof and to pass downwardly throughthe water softening material andout through the service pipe, which ishere shown as controlled by'a check valve 94, which will be closed bythe back pressure in the service line, when one of the drain valves isopen, as described in the above mentioned application. This particulararrangement contemplates the upward flow of thewash water preliminary tothe regenerating operation to dislodge and remove any sediment which mayhave accumulated on the upper surface of the water softening material.This upward h w of wash water is secured by closing the valve 9 in theupper branch 82 of the supply pipe, opening the valve 88 in the lowerbranch 81 of the supply pipe and opening a valve 91 in'the drain pipe90, thereby permitting the water to enter the container at the lower endthereof and to pass upwardly through the same and out through the drainpipe 90. At the end of the preliminary washing operation the valves 91and 88 are closed and the valves 89 in the upper branch 82 of the supplypipe, the valve 87 of .the regenerating solution pipe and the valve I 93of the drain pipe 92 are opened, thus causing the water and regeneratingsolution to enter the container at the upper end thereof and to bedischarged through the drain pipe 92 from the bottom of the container.At the end of the regenerating operation the valve 87 is closed so.

that clear water will pass downwardly through the container and outthrough the drain pipe 92 to carry the salt solution out of thecontainer and to rinse and thoroughly clean the water soft eningmaterial. At the end of this final washing operation the valve 93 isclosed, thus causing'the water which enters the container through thepipe 82 of the supply pipe to be discharged through the service pipe 84.The several valves ,are automatically operated at periods determined bythe quantity of water which is delivered to the container from thesupply pipe and is preferably controlled by the operation of a motor 95which is operated by the water delivered to the container and, in thepresent'instance, is interposed in the supply pipe in advance of thecon-" tainer. In the arrangement here shown the valves 88, 89 and 91,are operated by a single quick opening device 96 which is shown indetail in Figs. 5 to, 8. The connections between the quick openingdevice and the valves are such that the valves 88 and 91 will be openedand the valve 89 closed simultaneously, and vice versa. A second quickopening device 97 is connected with the drain valve 93, and the valve87in the regenerating solution pipe is controlled by an that endopposite the end into which the regeng perazting device 98 similar to'that shown in In Figs. 5 to 9, I have shown in detail the controllingmechanisms for the several valves. As here shown, a water motor 95 isinterposed in the supply pipe 80'so that it will be operated by theWater passing through that pipe. This motor is of a well known type andit is not necessary to describe the same in detail. Suflice it to saythat the flow of water through the motor, which also measures the waterand thus constitutes a meter, causes the rotation of a motor shaft 18which projects upwardly through the top of the motor casing and isjournaled at its upper end in a frame 19 rigidly secured to the motorcasing and serving to support the various parts of the controllingmechanism. The shaft 18 has secured thereto a worm 20 which meshes witha worm wheel 21 secured to a transverse shaft 22 journaled in bearings23 also carried by the frame 19.

The operation of the valves may be controlled by any suitable mechanismwhich will cause them to open and close at the proper intervals butpreferably the timing is effected by means of cams. In the presentapparatus, the valve 87 for the regenerating solution pipe 86 isactuated by the device indicated at the reference numeral 98 in Fig. 1and shown in detail in Fig. 7 and comprises a reciprocatory valve stem24 which is' connected with one end of a lever 25 which in turnis-pivotally mounted on a supporting link 26 carried by a fixed supportwhich, in the present instance, is mounted on the valve casing 27.

The outer end of the lever 25 is connected with an actuating rod 28which is guided in a part of the frame 19, and the lower end of whichcarries aroller 29 which is held in engagement with a cam 30 on theshaft 22 by means of a spring 31 acting on the lever 25. The arrangewillopen the valve and retain the same open until the roller again engagesthe periphery of the cam. It will thus be apparent that the valve willbe opened once on each. complete rotation of the cam shaft 22 and willbe held open'for a period of time controlled by the shape of the cam.The speed of the shaft 22 is so controlled as to permit the desiredquantity of water to be delivered to the container between thesuccessive openings of the valve. It is desirable that the valves 91 and92 of the drain pipes should be quickly opened and closed and I haveshown in Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9, an apparatus which will effect this quickopening and closing of the valves, the actuating devices 96 and 9'7 forthe two valves being identical in construction. Each valve comprises areciprocatory valve stem 32, one end of which is connected with a lever33 pivotally mounted on the upper end of a. link 34, the lower end ofwhich is mounted on .a fixed support, in the present instance a part 35carried by the valve casing. The opposite end of the. lever 33 ispivotally connected with the upper end of an actuating rod 36, the lowerend of which is slidably mounted in an axial recess formed in the upperend of a plunger 3,? which is guided in a suitable bearing in theframe19. The lower end of this plunger is provided with two projections orrollers 38 and 39' which are here shown as projecting in opposite'thedesired periods of time.

. directions from the plunger and which are arranged to be acted onrespectively by earns 40 and 41 secured to the cam shaft 22. These camsare here shown as snail cams and are so arranged with relation one tothe other that the valve will be held in its closed and open positionsfor It will be noted that the arrangement of the cams with relation tothe plunger is such that the cam 40 will move the plunger upwardly andthe cam 41 will move the same downwardly. The connection between theplunger 37 and the actuating rod 36 is such that these parts may haverelative movement, and

operative movement will not be imparted to the rod 36 and to the valveuntil just before the cam, 40 or 41, clears its roller on the plunger.As here shown, the actuating rod 36 has secured thereto and projectingfrom the opposite sides thereof, tapered projections 42 which, ifdesired, may consist of the opposite edges of a diamond shaped platerigidly secured to the rod and projecting beyond the respective sidesthereof. The angles or apices of the two projections or angular plate 42are arranged in transverse alinement. Cooperating with these taperedprojections or angular plate 42 are bell crank levers 43 each having onearm pivotally mounted on a collar 44 secured to the upper end of theplunger 37 and having their other ends connected one to the other bymeans of springs 45 which will tend to move the angles of th two leversone toward the other. Each lever is provided at the angle thereof with astud or roller 46, which rollers engage with the respective plate 42 andare held in contact therewith by the springs 45. With the parts in thepositions shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the levers 43 are acting on the lowerinclines of the tapered parts 42 and thus serve to hold the actuatingrod 36 in its uppermost position with the valve closed. In thesedrawings, however, the cam 40 has moved the plunger almost to itsuppermost position and a slight further movement of the cam will forcethe studs or rollers 46 across the apices or widest points of the plate42 and thus cause the rollers or studs 46 to act upon the upper inclinededges of the plate 42, which will result in the plate and therod beingmoved quickly downward and the valve opened. When the cam 40 clears theroller 38 on the plunger the plunger will be retained in its uppermostposition by the contact of the rollers or studs 46 with the upperinclined edges of the plate-42. As the cam shaft continues to rotate thecam 41 will force'the plunger downwardly and just before the plungerreaches the lower limit of its movement by the cam 41 the rollers 46 onthe levers 43 will again pass the wide points or apices of the plate 42and will act upon the lower inclined surfaces of the plate to impartupward movement to the actuating rod and thusclose the valve. The valves88 and 89 in the two branches of the supply pipe are controlled by theactuating device 96 and to this end are connected with the actuating rod36 by levers 33 similar to the connections between the rod 36 and thevalve 91, but the fulcrums for the two levers are arranged on oppositesides of the valve stems so that when one valve is opened the other willbe closed, thus providing a constant connection between the supply pipe'80 and the container. In the present arrangement the valve 88 will beopened when the drain valve 91 is opened and the valve 89 will be closedat that time.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that shown in Fig. 1except that the flow of .water being softened is upward instead ofdowntainer and is controlled by a positively operated valve 106. Asingle drain pipe 107 is connected with the lower. portion of thecontainer and, in the present instance, this connection is made throughthe branch 100 of the supply pipe. The

drain pipe 107 is controlled by a valve 108. The

brine tank.l09 is connected by a pipe 1l0 with the upper branch 101 ofthe supply pipe and pipe is controlled by a valve 111. During thesoftening operation the valves 111, 103 and 108are closed and the valve102 in the branch 100 of the supply pipe and the valve 106 in theservice pipe are open. During the regenerating operation the valves 102and 106 are closed and the valve 103 in the branch 101 of the supplypipe is open, the valve 111 of the regenerating solution pipe is openand the valve 108 of the drain pipe is open, thus causing the water andsalt solution to enter the upper end of the container 108 are allactuated by a single quick opening device 112 similar to that abovedescribed and the valve 111 is controlled by a carnoperated device 113*also "similar to that above described and both valve actuating devicesare operated by a motor 114 interposed in the supply pipe 99.

The arrangement shown in.Fig. 3 utilizes an upward flow of water duringthe softening operation and a downward preliminary flow of wash water,this being particularly useful where the water which is being softenedcarries a large amount of sediment which will collect on the lowersurface of the. water softening material and should be dislodged priorto the regenerating operation. Here also a supply pipe 115 is dividedinto two branches, 116 and 117, which are controlled by separate valves118 and 119 and are connected respectively with the lower and upper endsof the container 120. The service pipe 121 leads from the upper end ofthe container and is controlled by a positively operated valve 122. Adrain pipe 123 is connected with the upper portion of the containerthrough the branch 117 of the supply pipe and is controlled by a valve124. A- second drain pipe 125 is connected with the lower part of thecontainer through the branch 116 of the supply pipe and is controlled bya valve 126. The regenerating solution pim 127 is connected with thelower part of the container through the branch 116 of the supply pipeand is controlled by a valve 128. During the .water softening operationthe valve 119 of the branch '11? of the supply pipe, the valve 128 ofthe rethrough the water softening material and out through the servicepipe 121. At the beginning I of the reconditioning operation the valves118 and 122 are closed and the valve 119 in the branch 117 of' thesupply pipe and the valve 126 of the drain pipe 125 are opened, thuscausing the downward flow of wash water through the water softeningmaterial. At the end of this preliminary washing operation the valves119 and 126 are closed and the valve 118 of the branch 116 of the supplypipe, the valve 128 of the regenerating solution pipe and the valve1240f the drain pipe 123 are opened, thus causing the water andregenerating solution to enter the lower end of the container and passupwardly therethrough and out through the drain pipe 123. It is notnecessary that the valve 122 in the service line should be closed duringthe upward flow of the liquid and as a matter of convenience ofoperation it is so connected with the valve actuating mechanism that itwill be open during the regenerating operation, the check valve in theservice line insuring against back flow of water therefrom. At the endof the regenerating operation the valve 128 is closed so that clearwater' will pass up through the water softening material and out throughthe drain pipe 123. At the end of this final washing operation the valve124 is closed, thus restoring the water softening oper-' In thearrangement shown in Fig. 4, a main supply pipe 133 is divided into twobranches 134 and 135 connected respectively with the lower and upperends of a container 136 and controlled respectively by valves 137 and138; The service pipe 139 leads from the lower end of the con-1 tainer136 and is provided with a. check valve 140. A single drain pipe 141 isconnected with the upper part of the container through the branch 135 ofthe supply pipe and is controlled by a valve 142. A regeneratingsolution pipe 143 is connected with the lower branch 134 of the supplypipe and is controlled by a valve, 144. Dur ing the softening operationthe valves 137, 142 and 144 are closed and the valve 138 is open, thuscausing the water to enter the upper end of the container and to bedischarged from the lower end thereof through the service pipe 139.During the regenerating operation the valve 138 is closed and the valve137 in the lower branch of the supply pipe is opened and the valve 144in the regenerating solution pipe and the valve 142 in the drain pipeare open. Thus the water and regenerating solution will flow upwardthrough the water softening material and out through the drain pipe.141. At the end of the regenerating operation the valve 144 is closedand water only will pass upwardly through the water softening materialand out through the drain pipe 141. At the end of the'reconditioningoperation the valves 142 and 137 are closed and the valve 138 opened.The valves 137, '138 and 142 are controlled by a single quick openingdevice 145 similar to that shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9, and theregenerating solution valve 144 is controlled by an actuating device 146similar to that shown in Fig. 7 and both actuating devices arecontrolled by a motor 147.

While I have shown and, described one embodiment of my invention I wishit to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the detailsthereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in theart.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a. water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe for hard water having means for connecting thesame with either end of said container, valves to control saidconnections, a service pipe connected with one end of said container, adrain pipe connected with one end of said container, valves for saiddrain pipe, a source of supply for regenerating solution having meansfor connecting the same with that endof said container opposite saiddrain pipe, and means moved by the flow of water delivered to saidcontainer by said supply pipe for actuating said valves to cause waterto flow through said container first in one direction and then in theother direction and for establishing the connection between saidcontainer and said source of supply for regenerating solution while thewater is flowing to said drain pipe.

2. In awater softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe for hard water having meansfor connecting thesame 4 with either end of said container, valves to control saidconnections, a service pipe connected with said container, a drain pipeconnected with said container, a valve for said drain pipe, aregenerating solution pipe connected with said container, a valve insaid regenerating solution pipe, and means moved by the flow of waterdelivered tosaid container by said supply pipe for,actuat-. ing saidvalves.

3. In a water softening apparatus, a container for watersofteningmaterial, a supply pipe for hard water having means forconnecting the same with either end of said container, valves to controlsaid connections, a service pipe connected with said container, a drainpipe connected with said container, a valve for said drain' pipe,

a regenerating solution pipe connected with said container, a valve insaid regenerating solution pipe, means moved by the flow of waterdelivered 5 to said container by said supply pipe for actuating .saidvalves, and anautomatically operated valve to interrupt the connectionbetween said service pipe and said container while the valve insaiddrain pipe is open.

4. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe for hard water having means for connecting thesame with either end of said container, valves to control saidconnections, a service pipe connected with said container, a drain pipeconnected with said container, a valve for said drain pipe, aregenerating solution pipe connected with said con-1 tainer, a valve insaid regenerating solution pipe, a motor moved by thewater delivered tosaid container by said supply pipe, and means controlled by said niotorfor actuating said valves in timed relation one to the other.

. 5. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe for hard water having means for connecting thesame with either end of said container, valves to control saidconnections, a service pipe connected with said container, a drain pipeconnected with one end of said container, a. valve for said drain 150pipe, a regenerating solution pipe connected with the other end of saidcontainer, a valve in said regenerating solution pipe, and means movedby the flow of water delivered to said container by said supply pipe toautomatically open and close the several valves in such relation one tothe other that water will first flow through said container to saidservice pipe and will then flow through said container in the oppositedirection to said drain pipe and regenerating solution will be deliveredto said container while the water is flowing in the last mentioneddirection.-

6. In a water softening apparatus, a container, a supply pipe for hardwater comprising two branches connected with said container near therespective ends thereof, a service pipe leading from one end of saidcontainer, atdrain pipe leading from one end of said container, aregenerating solution pipe leading to that end of said containeropposite said drain pipe, separate valves in the two branches of saidsupply pipe, in said drain pipe and in said regenerating solution pipe,a motor moved by the water delivered to said container, and meanscontrolled by said motor to actuate said valves'to cause the water toflow through said container first to one direction and then in the otherdirection and to connect said regenerating solution pipe with saidcontainer while the valve in said drain pipe is open.

'7. In a'water softening apparatus, a container, a supply pipe for hardwater comprising two branches connected with said container near therespective ends thereof, a service pipe leading from one end of saidcontainer, a drain pipe leading from one end of said container, aregenerat ing solution pipe leading to that end of said containeropposite said drain pipe, separate valves in the two branches of saidsupply pipe and. in said drain pipe, a motor moved by the waterdelivered to said container, means controlled by said motor to actuatesaid valves to cause the water to flow through said container first inone direction and then in the other direction, and automaticallycontrolled valves to connect said regenerating solution pipe with saidcontainer and to disconnect said service pipe from separate valves inthe two branches of said supply' pipe and said drain pipe, a motor movedby flow of the water delivered to said container by said supply pipe,and means controlled by said motor for automatically actuating saidvalves to cause liquid to flow through said container first in onedirection and then in the other direction, and means for automaticallycontrolling the now of regenerating solution to said container.

9. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe for hard water comprising .two branchesconnected with said container near the respective ends thereof, aservice pipe leading from one end of saidcontainer, a regeneratingsolution pipe connected with one branch of said supply pipe, a

drain pipe connected with said containernear that-end opposite that atwhich said last menmatically operating said valves to cause liquid toflow through said container first in one direction and then inanother'direction.

10. In a Water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe for' livered to said container by said supplypipe for actuating said valves.

11. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe comprising two branches connected withsaidcontainer near the respective ends thereof, separate valves for thetwo'branches of said supply pipe; a service pipe leading from one end ofsaid container, a regenerating solution pipev connected *with saidcontainer, a valve in said regenerating solution pipe, drain pipesconnected with the respective branches of said supply pipe between saidcontainer and the valves in said branches, separate valves in said drainpipes, and means moved by flow of the water delivered to said con tainerby said supply pipe for automatically actuating the several valves intimed relation one to the other.

12. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe comprising two branches connected with saidcontainer near the respective ends thereof, separate valves for the twobranches of said supply pipe, a service pipe leading from one end ofsaid container, a regenerating solution pipe connected with saidcontainer, a valve in said regenerating solution pipe, drain pipesconnected with the respective branches of said supply pipe between saidcontainer and the valves in said branches, separate valves in said drainpipes, and means moved by flow of the water delivered to said containerby said supply pipe for automatically actuating said valves to cause thewater to be softened to flow through said container in one directionduring the softening operation, to cause inivalves for the two branchesof said supply pipe,

a service pipe leading from one end of said con- 7 tainer, aregenerating solution pipe connected with said container, a valve insaid regeneratingsolution pipe, drain pipes connected with therespective branches of said supply pipe between said container and thevalves in said branches, separate valves in said drain pipes, a motormoved by the water delivered to said container by said supply pipe,devices operated by said motor for actuating the several valves in suchrelation one to the other as to cause water to fiow through saidcontainer in one direction during the softening operation, to causeinitial wash water to flow through said container in the oppositedirection and to cause regenerating solution and final wash water toflow successively through said container in the first mentioneddirection.

14. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water-softeningmaterial, a supply pipe comprising two branches connected with saidcontainer near the respective ends thereof, separate valves for the twobranches of said supply pipe, a service pipe-leading from one end ofsaid container, a regenerating solution pipe connected with saidcontainer, a valve in said regenerating solution pipe, drain pipesconnected with the respective branches of said supply pipe between saidcontainer and the valves in said branches, separate valves in saiddrain, pipes, and means controlled by the water delivered to saidcontainer by said supply pipe for automatically actuating said valves insuch relation one'to the other as to cause water to flow upwardlythrough said container during the softening operation to cause water toflow downwardly through said container during an initial washingoperation, to cause regenerating solution to fiow upwardly through saidcontainer during the regenerating operation and to cause water to flowupwardly through said container during the final washing operation.

15. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe comprising branches connected with saidcontainer near the respective ends thereof, separate valves forsaid-branches, a service pipe leading from said 2 container near one endthereof, a pipe for regencrating solution leading to said container, avalve for said pipe, drain pipes connected with said container near therespective ends thereof, separate valves for said drain pipes, and meansmoved by flow, of the water delivered to said container by 16. In awater softening apparatus, a container for water softening material, asupply pipe having branches connected with said container near therespective ends thereof, a separate valve for each branch of said pipe,a service pipe leading from,

one end of said container, a regenerating solution pipe connected withsaid container,a valve in said pipe, a drain pipe connected with saidcontainer,

a valve to control said drain pipe,'and means moved by fiow of the waterdelivered to said con-. tainer by said supply pipe for automaticallyactuating said valves in such relation one to the other that will causetheliquid to flow through the container in one direction during oneoperation of, said apparatus and to flow through said container inanother direction during another operation of said apparatus.

1'1. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a supply pipe havi branches connected with said container nearthe respective ends thereof, a separate valve for I each branch of saidpipe, 9. service pipe leading from one end of said container, aregenerating solution pipe connected with one end of said container,a'valve for said pipe, a drain pipe connected with that end of saidcontainer opposite said regenerating solution pipe, a valve to controlsaid drain pipe, valve actuating devices operatively connected with saidvalves, a motor interposed in the supply pipe for hard water, andoperative connections between said motor and said valve actuatingdevices.

18. In a water softening apparatus comprising a container for watersoftening material, a soft water service pipe, a regenerating solutionpipe, a drain pipe, and a hard water supply pipe having' connectionswith both ends of said container, valve means adapted to direct thesupply of hard water through said container alternately in oppositedirections to the service pipe andto the drain pipe respectively, andmeans moved by flow of the water deliveredto said container by saidsupply pipe forcontrollin'g said valve means to direct the supply ofhard water th ough the container in each of said alternate dire ions forpredetermined intervals.

19. 'In a water softening apparatus comprising a container for watersoftening material, a soft water service pipe, a regenerating solutionpipe, a drain pipe and a hard water supply pipe having connection withboth ends of said container, valve means adapted to reverse-thedirection of the flow of hard water through said container in effectingregeneration of the water softening material, a motor moved by fiow ofthe water passing through said supply pipe, said motor being adapted toactuate said valve means to-erfect said reversal of flow and toautomatically control the duration of said reversal.

20. In a water softening apparatus comprising a container for watersoftening material, a soft water service pipe, a drain pipe, a hardwater supply pipe having connection with both ends of said container,valve means for causing hard water to flow from said supply pipe throughsaid container alternately in opposite directions to said service pipeand to said drain pipe respectively, means for introducing regeneratingsolution into said container while said hard water is flowing in saiddrain pipe and for terminating the delivery of said regeneratingsolution, thereby causing wash water to fiow through said container-tosaid drain pipe, a motor adapted to be moved by the flow of waterthrough said supply pipe, and means controlled by said motor to actuatesaid valve means and to determine the duration of flow of said washwater.

21. In a water softening apparatus, a container for water softeningmaterial, a soft water service pipe communicating with said container, adrain pipe communicating with said container, a hard water supply pipeleading to said container, a resecutively and to determine the durationof the passage of regenerating solution and of wash water.

EDWARD T. TURNER.

